tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49197732798562695962024-03-20T08:35:47.608-05:00Just Livin' *blog**Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-91052763254264650562011-12-10T14:48:00.001-06:002011-12-10T15:05:26.729-06:00Depression<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
depression is a soul eating, life corroding, confusing disease for anyone to have to live with.</div>
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and unfair when I have the three most amazing people in my life that have to live with the consequences.</div>
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<br /></div>*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-41528839373775274352011-02-27T10:04:00.004-06:002011-02-27T19:57:20.647-06:00the journey continues.....a month ago this was impossible to write because of the anger I still felt, but now that I am letting myself remember and realize that everything really does happen for a reason, my anger is fading. The job and opportunity of a lifetime we were so sure God planned just for us did not pan out. <br />We were there at the ranch for less that 2 months when S was let go and we had to vacate the premises within a week. I knew the look on S's face as soon as I drove up to the house...it was over. I could type for hours about what happened, but it is not worth it. All I know now is that is was absolutely the best thing in the world that it happened so early. It was extremely emotional that first night...anger, sadness, downright hatred at the way that man treated my family, at the realization that we had to move, find a new place and job so soon. But the next morning it was like a weight was lifted and we saw that the stress of the job and working for someone that was next to impossible to please was already taking its toll on our marriage and us as a family. Those two things are the most important things in the world and not worth losing for a job and a cute farm house.<br />Now we are back on our feet, doing way better than we were before the ranch job and things are looking great. We are in town, where I wanted to be in the first place, in a nice(modern)house in a desirable neighborhood with lots of great neighbors and lots of kids for the boys to ride bikes with! S and I have already made friends with a wonderful couple that has a daughter K's age. On nice days we can forget about getting anything done inside because we are outside watching all the kids play.<br />We are also in the neighborhood that goes to what people say is the best elementary in the district, so that is good with K starting Kindergarten next fall.<br />I am not sure if this is the path that God had intended, I am not really sure what the point of moving to the ranch was and having to deal with such a treacherous man, but I guess it was what we were suppose to do. I really wish we never would have meet the person that turned our lives upside down, but because of that move we are where we are and the boys are so happy with friends to play with. <br />We will see what god has in store for us next...I really hope it's not another move for a while!<br />and since no post is good without a pic...just an old random shot....<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0152copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-53450527627578610382010-12-11T17:07:00.002-06:002010-12-11T17:40:38.425-06:00wildlife.....this is just an example of what we see everyday on the ranch.....<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2707.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2704.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2695.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2689.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2685.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2664.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2676.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2675.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-41922845152589050972010-12-06T21:56:00.002-06:002010-12-06T22:51:24.767-06:00life's unknowing journey.....other than the particular place we were living, S and I could not have been happier with the path we have been journeying down this past year. We have had wonderful adventures with the kids while we explored this new part of Texas and we both really liked where we were working. So therefore was really not a big surprise to me or to S when several months ago I found myself itching to get the heck out of the temporary rental we were in and get closer into town. The twelve acres was ok, the deer in the back yard was awesome, But the house and the drive...not ok.<br /><br />Now I know that God has a path for everyone, but what if you don't listen or are stubborn? I really feel like a lot of our problems have had to do with just that, we don't listen to our better judgment(god) and do what our selfish inner child wants to do. Well, I really believe that god had such good plans for us this time that when we started to look for other rent houses in town nothing paned out. I was getting pretty bummed out but we decided to just stay in the yucky place until after Christmas and start looking again in the new year.<br /><br />It was about mid October when S's moms husband, Joey, was on the way to his boss's ranch about an hour from us to fire the current ranch foreman that stuff began to change. S's brother just happen to mention to Joey what a great job that would be for S and it all snowballed fairly quickly from there. With all the highs and lows, butterflies and panics of a new job all rolled in one short week, S got the job as a Ranch foreman on a several thousand acre, high fence game ranch. He will be taking care of all the animals, maintaining the road systems, guiding hunts, processing any animals harvested, along with so much more on such a busy ranch. <br /><br />The conversations and emotions felt in the week this was all happening were all over the place. The thought of S changing jobs is scary enough, but to do something and be responsible for so much that he has never done before was just down right frightening. Not to mention that this was about 15 more minutes further for me to drive to work....I had originally wanted to be closer, remember? But God truly knows what he is doing and I believe whole heartily his plan was for us to take this opportunity. The crazy circumstances, the easy in which it all happened and the fact that He didn't let us talk ourselves out of it proves it to me.<br /><br />So we have actually been living here and S working for a few weeks now, and I am absolutely in love. I love the little farm house we get to live in, the horses, cattle, the twelve or so different species of exotic animals we see every day and my porch swing. The boys no longer watch TV, and there is no more fighting them at bedtime because they pass out in seconds from playing so hard outside. S couldn't be happier with all that he does here because no matter what he is doing, he is outside and gets to see wildlife all day!<br /><br />There are more opportunities than I can imagine for me to use my camera, I have a swing on the front porch to read books and a pretty large yard to play tag with the boys!<br /><br />I never in a millions years or even two months ago imagined we would be on this journey, but it sure is an amazing one.<br /><br />our house<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2599_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />the view of our house/barns from one of two lookout points. <br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2720.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />view from my kitchen sink...i may actually learn to like doing dishes....<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2662.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />dirt road to our house<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2597.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />the medina river, where we cross going to the ranch<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2594.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />the boys either want on this all the time or the tractor!<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2612_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2730.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />more to come later......*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-75708803113276032192010-10-30T21:46:00.003-05:002010-10-30T21:48:24.157-05:00the boys.....lately they have actually been cooperative with me and my camera!!!<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img030-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2416.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2357.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2359.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-47783028555070361982010-10-22T17:36:00.002-05:002010-10-22T20:05:58.846-05:00hemisfair parkthe sky was blue, the sun bright, not a cloud or parking spot in sight. Have you ever tried to park in downtown San Antonio? With such a beautiful day calling us outside we ventured to hemisfair park to let the boys rid themselves of all that boy energy. We circled the park, oh, about five times before we found somewhere to park that we didn't need full hiking gear, and a GPS to find our way back. Luckily it only cost five bucks, that was pretty cheap around there! As it was Sunday and the only attraction open was the needle, we just walked the grounds looking at the sculptures, old building and let the boys play on the playground. <br />When the sun started to slip down and the boys started to slow down we found our way down to the river walk. We had no intentions on going to the river walk, but the day was so nice and dang we had a parking spot, so we decided to find a place to eat. By request of the boys, we needed to eat outside. <br />I do believe this is the first time I have ever seen the boys so wore out that they actually just sat at the table....quiet. <br />Dinner was great and walking on the river walk was not near bad as we thought it would be with a four year old and a three year old. <br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2258.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img030.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2315.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img031.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2346.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2337.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2344.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-42199765324446046572010-10-10T12:38:00.003-05:002010-10-10T18:28:39.909-05:00half moon.....on our recent stroll down the river walk mister socialite decided to show a little more than his charming smile! he was so worn out by the time we headed back to the car he hitched a ride on daddy's back and this was the picture I was so lucky to catch! he was just a wavin' and flirtin' to the passing tour boats when I realized half his little hiney was flashing!! unfortunately earlier we had to toss his under-roos because he forgot to aim right so he was going comando, causing his pants to slip a little. I think everyone passing thought it was hilarious before I fixed it!<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2347-1_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-57127708959691936262010-09-07T19:32:00.004-05:002010-09-18T15:45:53.029-05:00nineteen miles.....One River. three guides. ten women. eight hours. nineteen miles. <br /><br />This past Sunday me, along with a group of strong and amazing women, went on an all day Kayak trip on the Guadalupe river between Comfort and Sisterdale, Texas. We stared out with a chill in the air and fog so thick we cut it with our kayaks. It wasn't long until the sun came out, burnt off the fog to reveal the beautiful banks of the Guadalupe and warm up the water that was chillin our bums. It didn't take long to start breaking a sweat and for the muscles to start burning!<br /><br />The water was quite low, which created tons of fun rapids and obstacles to bypass giving us the opportunity to really learn how to maneuver our boats and learn how to 'read' the water. I think looking for random, large rocks in the middle of the river was most important, because even with a boat between you and the rock, it still hurts when you hit one without expecting it...unfortunately there were a few I hit pretty hard. <br /><br />I learned two very valuable lessons while on this trip. One, is that yes, you can very nicely request with your paddle the direction you would like your boat to go through an approaching rapid. You can paddle your little heart out, beg and plead with the river, but in the end, it is only a request and that in no way guarantees you will get your way. That happened to me about twenty minutes before take out. I was kickin it and getting the hang of navigating through the rapids. I was sore, hot and looking for the get out. I was getting a little cocky with the water and right when I wasn't expecting it, she spoke up and said, "sister, you are not in control of this." And over I went. Luckily Kayaks are easy to get back into and I was able to track down my drenched back of snacks. <br /><br />The second lesson was a lot easier. When on the water for any length of time, you can never have to much sunblock or water. I put on tons of sunblock through out the day, but still ended up with a little bit of sunburn. And I think I could have guzzled about five gallons of water and still been dehydrated.<br /><br />At the end of the paddle, when we finally saw site of the ever evasive bridge in Sisterdale with the truck parked under waiting to bring us exhausted women back to Comfort, it was one of the most rewarding things I have put myself through. I was sore for about 3 days, but waiting for the next opportunity to get back on the river...hopefully next time to share the experience with Scott. <br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/R1-8A-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/R1-14A-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/R1-21A-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/R1-4A-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />of course I couldn't bring my big camera as much as I wanted to, so I settled for disposable cameras....they work better than nothing!*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-59226280716219871072010-09-01T18:10:00.003-05:002010-09-01T19:41:00.971-05:00Hill Country landscape.....I've never been much interested in landscape, I've never really thought I had the eye for it. Living in the Hill Country has given me the inspiration to see landscape more artistically, so I have been practicing as we take our infamous rode trips. I never use to get Scott to stop or turn around so I could snap a picture of something nice along side of the rode, for no other reason than not wanting to speak up. Now that I am in such a beautiful place I can't help but stop to take pictures. So poor Scott never knows when I will request a u-turn for cool cloud formations, an unusual deer stand or neat sign, but he takes it all in stride. I am lucky he understands my obsession with photography!<br />These two are in between Van Der Poole and Leakey<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img01.jpg" border="0" alt="Leakey, Tx"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0909.jpg" border="0" alt="Leakey,Tx"><br />This one is close to Garner State park<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0899e.jpg" border="0" alt="Leakey,Tx"><br />these two were on a ranch in Campwood<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img02.jpg" border="0" alt="Campwood,Tx"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img03.jpg" border="0" alt="Campwood,Tx"><br />Enchanted Rock<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0098-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Enchanted Rock"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0642e.jpg" border="0" alt="Deer Run"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0865e.jpg" border="0" alt="Deer Run">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-41412789090686811382010-08-29T16:34:00.004-05:002010-09-01T19:41:27.733-05:00Soccer Mom.....I am officially in the club...the soccer mom club! I use to always joke about 'being a soccer mom', not ever against it, but not really thinking I would be doing it. <br />We have wanted to get kyle involved in something for a while now and at the last minute were able to get him signed up with the local soccer club. This boy was so stinking excited to go to the store to pick out his very own soccer shoes, shin guards(although he though the 'cups' were shin guards) and soccer ball I though he was going to explode! he was a little disappointed when he could get a helmet, I guess we haven't done a good job teaching our sons the difference between sports. Needless to say he tried on his black and blue shoes and insisted on wearing them out of the store! <br />He is number 2 for the cowboys and had his first game this past Saturday! They play 3v3 at this age, for 2-15 minute quarters. Each group of 3 plays for five minutes and we had the hardest time keeping kyle on the field for his amount of time. Every time he did something or play stopped, he would run to me or Scott for a rest or to give us a hug!!! Otherwise I do think he has perfect personality for this game, he is aggressive and with no real understanding of the game, scored the first goal of his first game! <br />I went into this very nervous, never having done anything like this before, not knowing what would be involved for me as a parent in a strictly voluntary organization. But found myself volunteering before I know it! I haven't looked forward to anything like this in a long time and am SO excited to be a team mom, to work in the concession stand and help organize weekly parties! I know Scott and I are both looking forward to sitting out in the sweltering sun, the freezing cold and the wind to watch our little budding soccer star have a blast!<br /><br />~unfortunately photographing sports is not something I have ever done, don't know much about and certainly don't have the equipment for. I gave it my best shot, but with the super bright sun didn't get anything technically great, but personally they are the best photos I have!<br /><br />the part of the team that was paying attention, walking the line during practice.<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2027_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />K was the first to kick off...<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2052_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />and went straight down the field...<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2055_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />to score his first goal and the first of the game!<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2056_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />running to me for a hug.<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2063_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />him being aggressive...<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2118_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2119_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2098_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2087_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_2088_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-34586748240624037422010-08-18T21:26:00.003-05:002010-08-20T20:20:46.942-05:00tree house.....I have come to the conclusion that facebook is about the biggest time suck there is on the internet. I refused to make a profile for months and months not wanting to get caught up in all that childish stuff....well I got caught up in it and have almost 200 'friends' to show for it. Some of these people I talk to on a regular basis, some every now and then, others I haven't seen or talked to since high school. Now just because I haven't seen or talked to these people doesn't mean they are not close to my heart, but keeping up with what they are eating for lunch or their mafia wars is not worth taking that time away from my family and my hobby that gets me on the computer anyway and I, by choice, let it take away to much time. <br />SO I am calling up that little thing called self control and I am stepping away from facebook. I am not going to delete my profile because I do still want to keep in contact, but I will not get on everyday. <br />The only reason I use to get on the computer when the boys went to bed was to research and study photography. Now when I sit down to the computer after work, when the boys are begging for attention, I let myself get sucked right into facebook, and for what? I rarely do anything with my photography anymore even though that is truly what I love besides my family.<br />With all this extra time I will have on my hands, I will do art projects with my kiddos after school, play ball with them outside and probably take a few pictures of them! And after bedtime, I will pursue my photography more.<br /><br /><br />Ok, now off my soapbox of my facebook shortcomings, on with the tree house!<br /><br />Now anyone that knows Scott and me knows that we do not finish projects! With all the good intentions we just get side tracked with other things. Well scott got a wild hair a few months ago and started the kids a tree house out back. I was a little nervous when he first said something about it- thinking that we would end up with a few hundred bucks of wasted plywood stuck up in a tree somewhere. But he scouted out the perfect spot for this thing, four small trees in a perfect square not to far from the back porch and only a few yards from the deer feeder. Only a few months later believe it or not, with a lot of planning, re-planning, help from the kids and scotts dad it is finished. The thing is even painted. We let the kids pick out the paint for the inside- neon yellow and lime green, I broke out the sewing machine to make them spongebob curtains and it has an enormous red stag antler for the handle that probably weighs more than the kids. <br />Now if we could just get them to go play in it! I am sure with the weather changing...hopefully soon it will get some use. I imagine it might turn into a deer stand come deer season.<br /><br />and now for the photogrpahy part:)<br /><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0252.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0266-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0270.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0264.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0262.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0350.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0440.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0931.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0933.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-73098836012944339202010-04-02T09:41:00.002-05:002010-04-02T10:15:23.006-05:00B Bar retreat.....a girls weekend...just girls...out in the middle of nowhere...NO BOYS...<br /><br />i was recently invited to tag along to a girls weekend and nearly turned it down because of my anxiety of being around people i don't know, and being away from my family. I have gotten way to dependent on S and the kids and decided that a weekend away would be really good for me and besides i needed to get my camera out without a kid hangin on my leg.<br /><br />we ate and ate and ate a little more. i made new friends. we ate some more, watched a chick flick that was suppose to be just that a chick flick....i cried like a big fat baby in a room full of practical strangers. me and me friend M walked around the property, a 200 acre sheep ranch taking pictures. we had to keep awayng from a very curiously aggressive sheep. we stayed up late talking girl talk, slept late, played all kinds of fun games. i love games. i love to play games with people i know. the thought of playing games with people i don't know, the chance that i could make a total and complete fool of myself makes me almost go into a panic attack, but i had a blast being a fool. i had fun, relaxed and made new friends. <br /><br />i missed my boys, I missed Scott and i was exhausted......all in a good weekend!<br /><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0017.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0151.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0141.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0169.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0184.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0210.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0228-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-88516609532476839292010-04-01T22:01:00.003-05:002010-04-01T22:10:40.579-05:00beautiful snow.....i still can't believe we have witnessed snow 3 times in 1 season...in TEXAS! the first 2 times did not stick to anything, but it was still beautiful. this last time we had a nice blanket of snow over everything for a whole day and in some spots for 2 days! the boys were not as excited about it as i was, they were to cold! crazy kids! i took the camera out for a bit and got a few pictures that came out...it is hard to shoot snow out in the cold when you are not used to it:)<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0087-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0085-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0079-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0084-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0107-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0100.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0059-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-29322213542481193082010-03-28T20:33:00.002-05:002010-03-28T20:41:32.305-05:00bullseye.....if it was up to me K would not have anything to do with any guns at this age, but he now has his cousins old bb gun. i was not happy, but he and S really enjoy going out to find cactus and such to shoot at. at first S held it and K just pulled the trigger, but now he holds it himself. And he is actually pretty dang good. he can barely hold the thing up but he can hit what he aims at almost every time! maybe we should get him into one of those redneck shooting contests.....:)<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0503.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-88582864732154151992010-03-28T13:54:00.002-05:002010-03-28T14:01:12.747-05:00by the river.....last month my MIL, SIL, BIL, niece and nephew came to visit, on their way out of town we brought them to the river in town to see how pretty the park is.<br /><br />for this group shot i climbed up a huge rock, contorted myself in the most uncomfortable position to balance my camera on yet another rock to use the timer...should have brought the tripod! i think there should have also been a video camera to catch me getting off said rock to make it into the picture!<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0474.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0437.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />this is T with daddy right after he fell<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0455.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0421.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-1365807891683710962010-03-28T12:36:00.002-05:002010-03-28T12:46:42.107-05:00mean man costume, sharks and seahorses.....in the car yesterday on the way to town this is the convo i had with K.....<br /><br />K: mommy I want a mean man costume.<br />M: why, K its like 7 months to Halloween and why do you want a mean man costume?<br />K: Moooommm, i want a mean man costume so i can scare away the sharks and catch a sea horse with my fishing net in the ocean.<br />M: oh, that makes since.....<br /><br /><br />seriously, where did that come from?*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-12045050675383757822010-03-28T12:06:00.002-05:002010-03-28T12:10:26.589-05:00silly boys.....this is what i have to be happy with when i get my camera out...at least they didn't run like they normally do!<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0037_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0032-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0023-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0026.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0025.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0013.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-57683960840320811472010-03-28T08:56:00.004-05:002010-03-28T11:06:56.115-05:00enchanted rock.....with a picnic packed and walking shoes on we took out on our 45 minute drive to enchanted rock with my sil, bil, niece and nephew. the weather was as near perfect as it could be in mid January to go on an outside adventure. when we left out the sky was clear with a few puffy white clouds, a slight breeze and warm enough for a light long sleeve shirt. it sure never crossed my mind that we should bring along umbrellas, heavy jackets and possibly an anchor! <br /><br />by the time we paid our entrance to the park and found a place to eat we could see the ominous cloud rolling in. lunch was fun as we had to hold everything down because the wind picked up so much, the rain stared and it turned COLD all in about 20 minutes! we decided to sit the rain out in the car, but finally figured we would not melt, so we scrounged up enough jackets for everyone to wear and headed out to hike! <br /><br />to make a long story short, it was so windy K and T had a hard time walking by themselves once we got up to the top of the rock and it was SO cold we were all miserable! the way down was better once the rain stopped and the sun came out! it did turn out to be a fun trip, but we are all looking forward to going back when the weather is nicer so we can actually take our time and enjoy the beauty!<br />these were all taken on the way down.... <br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0098.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />there are very defined paths that are easy to follow, but we decided to go down the hard way.....:)<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0135.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0106.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0131-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0116.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />sorry stef...just couldn't resist!<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0119.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-13264289355820372292010-03-27T18:07:00.002-05:002010-03-27T19:04:37.842-05:00Strike.....i am just gonna pretend i have not neglected this poor blog because if i do then i will have more of those kind of entries than regular ones, so on to the bowling party we had for K's 4th b-day!<br /><br />K was gonna be four and i didn't think it would be a real big deal. i certainly wasn't gonna go out of my way to make a big celebration because the other 3 birthdays he could not have cared less. well right before Christmas i made the mistake of mentioning his birthday and the first thing out of his mouth was when his party was and what we were doing! and by mistake i mean that is the only thing i heard about EVERYDAY for nearly 2 months(well besides him reminding me he wanted everything on TV from Santa). <br />being so far from houston i didn't know what we would do to make it fun for him, i thought about the jumping party but that just didn't seem fun with only 2 other kids that he knows. At the last minute we decided to load up and have a bowling party in Houston with grandparents and cousins. I don't think i have seen him so excited about anything so far and he has never even been to a bowling alley. he and the other kids had such a blast bowling! I thought it might be a disaster with the babies, but they had just as much fun and every one of them did wonderful! <br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0378.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />this is a succession of photos to show how excited K got EVERY TIME it was his turn..<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0360.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0362.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0363.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0364.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0365.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />T found the air vents on the ball return machine and just hung out there!<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0387.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-21097617029221561022009-12-13T21:16:00.003-06:002009-12-13T21:22:10.902-06:00project.....Scott had the brainy idea the other day to build the boys bunk beds out of ceder from the property. he has no plans to go by, so i guess he is just gonna wing it. so far we have one tree cut down and half way stripped. we will see how long it takes for this project to be complete........if it gets finished it sure is gonna be neat!<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0217_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0215_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0219_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-71396695355927031652009-12-12T14:00:00.004-06:002009-12-12T14:38:29.880-06:00more nature.....even in such a beautiful place and with a renewed spark for photography when i went on the field trip to lost maples, i just can't get into it. some kind of rut, or un-inspiration, i am not sure, but it makes my stomach hurt to think about not taking pictures. i have been going through a big pity party because i don't like my equipment even though it is fine(just a little dirty) and of course my wish list is a mile long for photography equipment but at the end of the day there are many, many more important things that must and will come before more equipment. well in the wake of my pity party i have posted a few of the nature/landscape picture that i took a while back..... <br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0023.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0028.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0040.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0054-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0266.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0263.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0063.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0065-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0074.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0077.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0087.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-73892759367200145272009-11-11T21:05:00.003-06:002009-11-11T21:43:46.679-06:00field trip.....i doubt anyone is even attempting to keep up with this sad little blog anymore, i don't blame them, whoever they may be. I love my blog, it is therapeutic to me, but time slips away here in my new life and i haven't found the time to devote to something just for me. so for the sake of me, i will continue to update when time allows.<br /><br />I had the most awesome opportunity to tag along on a field trip of sorts with a photography club to lost maple state park over the past weekend. this is a club from houston where i attended a total of one meeting last year, despite this and not being a paying member, they happily let me go on the trip since i live so close to the park now. this club is made up of hobbyist and professionals with spouses that gladly go along and share this passion. every one of the amazing people i meet this weekend had a story and a passion, they were so willing to share any knowledge they possessed about the ever learning art of photography. i have never experienced this with photographers before. my past experience with other photographers had, unfortunately, left me very skeptical of spending 2 days with a whole group of them, but they made me see the light that all photogs are not egotistical jerks!!!<br /><br />i took nearly 500 pictures, which surprised me since i cannot 'see' landscape. landscape photography has never peaked my interest further than admiring someone elses ability to translate it in picture. i treat it as a point and shot opportunity when i see something beautiful, never taking the time to study and interpret . It is hard to interpret something so beautiful in a picture that is in landscape. but this weekend i started to 'see' and be able to tell what i saw in this beauty, i found a zone and really enjoyed my time and possibly a new found passion in my pursuit of learning the art of photography.....<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img22.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img28.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img25.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img26.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img27.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img21.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img29.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img24.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />the next picture was on the way back to one of the club members weekend house....the boot fence...with hundreds of worn and tattered boots lining the fence...<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img20.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-24332429931630301342009-11-01T20:52:00.002-06:002009-11-01T20:57:15.997-06:00park.....i tried my hardest to get a few good pictures of the boy this weekend...it did not go as planned. we went to the local park along the Guadalupe river, i let the boys play for quite a long time so they would get it out of their system and to not tease them with the playground, but it still did not work. I was only able to get K to sit still for about 3 picture, only by threatening him with no TorTing!! T wouldn't even come close! here is K.....<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0037copy_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-48810721886298337772009-10-27T19:48:00.002-05:002009-10-27T20:58:07.062-05:00county fair.....this past weekend we brought the boys to their first county fair. Going to the county fair and carnival is one of my favorite things to do(is there anything better than people watching at the carnival?), unfortunately i haven't been in several years. the boys are at the perfect age to start going and enjoying all that goes on at the fair and what a great way to start getting familiar with the activities in a new town. we watched the lamb show for a while and the pigs, they seemed to enjoy it for the few minutes they sat still. of course they loved the petting zoo, we went in it 4 times! I hope one day they love going and the atmosphere as much as i do. i will have to admit though...the carnival is stinking expensive! on Saturday i charged my batteries, packed a big purse my 2 fav lenses and camera, got to the fair and did not have my camera card. on Sunday, i made sure before we left to go back, that i put the card in my camera. well before we left i took a few pictures of the boys in the bath tib, loaded them in the computer and left it. so of course we get 17 miles away from the house and had to stop at walmart to get yet another card. i have 5 cards, 3 of them have been bought for the same reason, i have got to stop doing that.....<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0011copy-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0017copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0024copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/img6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4919773279856269596.post-63047167861636056972009-10-24T16:49:00.002-05:002009-10-24T17:01:08.813-05:00gazzillion.....i think that is how many stars we can see now that we are out of the city. when it is clear out, it is just the most amazing thing i have ever seen. being from the city(well close to it), we were lucky to see maybe 5 on any given night. now it is just surreal when you look up into the sky and there are more stars than sky...<br /><br />this is my very first attempt at photographing the stars....i have a lot practice ahead of me, but it wasn't a total bust for my first time. first thing i need to do different is make sure there are not power lines above me:)!!! <br />this one was 30 sec exposure....<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0052.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />this one is almost a 5 min exposure.....<br /><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g70/marcuscypress/IMG_0054_filtered.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />now keep in mind that i did not take an extreme measures for composition(hence the power lines) or focus, i just wanted see if i could actually get stars to show up..i was very surprised.*Jennifer*http://www.blogger.com/profile/08195100633694665325noreply@blogger.com1